Eleven Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) scholars recently graduated from the Boeing | TMCF Scholar program at a ceremony held in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Boeing | TMCF Scholar Program is a unique opportunity that provides students with full college-to-career support, opening doors to a full-time career with The Boeing Company, a leading global aerospace company.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) graduate Lauren McNealy took her first plane ride to Seattle, Washington, to Boeing to learn about the aerospace industry. The following year, she headed to Long Beach, California, where she learned how virtual reality helped with product development and engineering. She completed two internships with Boeing and was offered a full-time position after earning her mechanical engineering degree.
“I came into this program as a sophomore and was unsure of what I wanted to do professionally,” McNealy said. “This program has given me the exposure to not only know what I would like as an engineer but the different routes that I can take. It helped immensely to have managers that welcomed questions and encouraged me to learn as much as possible during my internships.”
Jeremiah Wilson, an electrical engineering major from Tennessee State University, also received a job full-time offer with Boeing. As of late June, he is working as an equipment and tooling engineer to support Boeing’s Space Launch Systems program.
“Going into this program, I expected to gain career experience while also learning about the various business operations of Boeing,” Wilson shared. “I learned how to apply my knowledge from school in a job setting. I also learned about the many opportunities the company offers to expand my skill set and to continue my learning experiences.”
“The experience I received as a Boeing | TMCF scholar gave me a leg up, pushing me to get where I am today,” shared Boeing graduate Malachi Hope.
The North Carolina A&T State University graduate went into the program not knowing what to expect and graduated with a full-time job offer as an information systems security officer at Boeing.
“This experience has had such a positive impact on me personally and professionally. I learned how to be my authentic self and build personal connections,” Hope added.
Before being accepted into the Boeing | TMCF Scholar program, electronic engineering technology major Ryan Daniels said that he lacked direction.
“I didn’t have the biggest dreams and I didn’t really know what my purpose was. I didn’t even know how I deserved to be accepted in the Boeing | TMCF Scholar program,” expressed the FAMU graduate. “Learning from like-minded peers and the opportunities presented to me allowed me to really expand my mind and truly go for everything I desire no matter how big or impossible it may be.”
During the ceremony, TMCF President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams spoke to graduates about the impact of the program and the legacy of TMCF’s namesake, Justice Thurgood Marshall.
“Justice Thurgood Marshall dedicated his life to creating opportunities and knocking down barriers for us to be able to walk into places like Boeing.” Williams continued, sharing that, “this program is bigger than just one person. It’s about changing the perspective and perceptions that people have when it comes to quality and excellence. When people want to know about an HBCU student and they see you, that sends a message to a lot of people.”
The program concluded with remarks from the brainchild behind the Boeing | TMCF Scholar program, Ted Colbert, president and chief executive officer at Boeing Defense, Space & Security, setting expectations and encouraging graduates to, “lean on one another and build relationships and opportunities together.”
“You are part of a very important and elite group of talented future leaders in The Boeing Company. Take advantage of the fact that you have a team already built to help you get through the hardest challenges you may face within your career. You will do well in your next assignments – that is our expectation of you.”
The complete cohort of graduates include:
- Jabari Austin, Morgan State University
- Asia Callens, mechanical engineering major at Alabama A&M University
- Mackenzie Carter, Spelman University
- Ryan Daniels, electronic engineering technology major at Florida A&M University
- Mike Davis Jr., Alabama A&M University
- Malachi Hope, information technology major at North Carolina A&T State University
- Lauren McNealy, mechanical engineering major at Florida A&M University
- Maxwell Murphy, electrical engineering major at Tuskegee University
- Sydnie Sewell, Howard University
- Joshua Taylor, North Carolina A&T State University
- Jeremiah Wilson, electrical engineering major at Tennessee State University
